Stalk-cutter.



P. R. ,STILLWBLL STALKCUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED Mums, 190s.

Patented Dec. 8, 1908.

42 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

III

F. R. STILLWELL.

STALK GUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. za, 1908.

Patented Dec. 8, 1908.

ZSHEETS-SHBB'I' 2.

. QN O @W www @XMIM was a @aim of the United sans, residing I STATES PATENT oFFioE.

FRANK B.. STILLWELL, 0F LOTT, TEXAS.

MALI-GUTTER.

xq. soaps?.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Faanx R. Srrmnwnu.,

at Lott, in the countyof Falls and State of Texas, have invented certain new and usefl lfm rovements in Stalk-Cutters, of which t e o owm'igisaspecication.

This invention relates to that class of agricultural implements known as stalk cutters or choppers, and has particular reference to certain improvements in such machinery whereby the same are better adapted' for various requirements and also whereby the machines maybebuilt at acomparatively low cost without detracting materially from their. emciemy. l

More y stated the Apresent invention contemplatesthe provision of estruclzujmoflzheclmY Whihslallbe more effectively an satisfactorily adjusted as to width than has heretofore been accomplished, and the invention includes certain other details, all of which will be fully hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the accompan drawings, in which, l

Fl'gurelisaplanviewoftheentiremachine; Fig. 2 is a aide elevation of the same, and Fig. 3is adetailviewofcertainpartsto be hereinafter d d Thro out ollowmg escri tion an on the surieraliigures othedrawinlgs similar parts are'referred to bylike reference characters.

Referring y'to the drawings' the numeral 10 indicates the main or front axle having at its ends ground wheels 11, and to which axle is secured any suitable type of tongue 12 by means-of which the machine will be drawn by the useof two or four horses in actual use.

13 indicates a frame of general rectangular form in plan view, and com rising two main bars 14 constituting the si es of said frame and connected pivotally with the axle 10 by means of clips 15. Near the rear ends` of 'the bars 14 are rigidlysecured cross beams 16 and 17 which serve to ro rly brace and space the said bars 14 an to serve as a support for the drivers seat 18. The frame 13 ls supported at its rear Aend by means of casters 19-each of which includes a frame or yoke 20 having a vertical axis journaled in an eye or box 21 at the rear end of the corresponding side bar 14, the wheel 22 of each o! Lettera Patent.

Anuman-a Ima n, s m n. mm.

Patented me. s, 190s.

caster ournaled in said oke 20. Thus far describe the frame 13 follow the axle 10 in all its movementsv laterally as the axle or truck turns, as in turning the machine at the ends of the rows, the casters permitting lateral movement of the rear end of Vthe frame without altering the angularity of A the frame with respect to the front axle 10.

The machine is provided with vany suitable number of'rotary cutters 23, herein indicated as three for the purpose of cutting or chopping three rows at one time.

to all. The cutter comprises a plura iders 24, shown as three in number, and eac I0, vided with a hub 24 a polygonal hole therethrough and a'plurahty of arms 25 radiating therefrom. At each end -of the cutter is a ling 26 and extending between said rings and secured thereto and also secured to These cuttersA Y Y 23, all alike, a 'specific description of one will be understood as aplyig A the arms 25 are a lurality of cutting blades Y of the machme.

The shaft 28 is illustrated as being square in cross section corresponding to the holes 24, but it will be understood that the exact form of the same ma be varied if desired. Each hub 24 is provi ed with a set Screw 29 wherebythe same is caused to be locked'to the shaft 28. By this means the cutter- 23 is secured in roper position u Y n the shaft 28. Asiswe known cornispantedin rows of varying widths in different parts of the country an also depending upon the character of the soil in any particular locality. For this reason it is desirable to provide means Whereby the cutters may be adjusted so as to readil adapt them for cutting a plurality of rows o different widths and yet so that each cutter will receive its row substantially centrally. By rovi a polygonal shaft as herein set fgrth an securmg the cutters thereto by means stated such longitudinal adjustment of the cutters with respect to the shaft 28 may be accomplished in a very easy and effective manner. Ordinarily after once assembled the central cutterwill remain in adjusted position but the outer cutters will be adjusted toward the central cutter if the' corn rows to` be chopped are closer together,

- or the end cutters may be adjusted outwardly i at their rear ends in which the ends of the der to cutter bar or shaft 28 are journaled, the shaft 28 rotating in such ,boxes 32. The ivotal connection between the bars 30 and t e axle 10 permits av suiiicient amount of freedom of movement of the cutter'bar 28 vertically as would be necessary in operating the machine over uneven ground. The shaft 28 in addition to being rounded at the boxes 32 is also provided with cylindrical portions 33 for the purpose of receiving upright links 34 and 34 connectedattheir upper ends to a bar 35. The`said bar 35 has connection by means of iiexible connecting members 36,. shown as chains, with hand levers 37, ivoted at some lsuitable fixed point on the frame 13. Thel levers 37 operate in substantially vertical planes and include locking bolts which coperate with toothed segments 38 rigidly se` cured on said frame 13, the handles of said levers being in convenient reach of the op erator of the machine when seated upon the seat 18. When turnin the machine or during transportation of t e same the operator .will lift the cutter bar with its cutters by means of the levers 37 so that the cutting blades 27 will be entirely free from the ground.- The flexible connections 36 will permit slight vertical movement of the cutters during ordinary operation of the machine even though the levers 37 may have fixed positions'with respect to the segments 38 at such time. Each of 'the' bars 14 is rovided with an upwardly. curved interme ate portion 39 in orermit the necessary vertical movement o the cutters. The frame 13 will also have secured'thereto by any suitable means foot rests 40.

ln some instances it may be desirable to shorten the shaft 28 in order to decrease the entire width of the machine in accordance with the aforesaid adjustment of the outer .cutters for the accommodation of narrow rows of corn. If the machine is set for narrow rows and it is desirable that no unnecessary length of shaft project laterally beyond the ends of said shaft and having 28 constitute an exceedingly su port for the divided shaft, even though t e shaft is extended to correspond with the.

While there is herein set forth a suit-able I embodiment of the resent invention, it will be understood that s ht details of construetion may be varied without depart' from the spirit of the invention heremafter claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what p is claimed as new, is:

1 The hereindescribed prising, in combination, a main truck, a rectangular rigid frame connected with said truck, rotary supporting means for the rear end of said rectangular frame, the intermediate portion of the frame being upwardly curved, a polygonal shaft disposed transctto said frame and within versely with res the curved portlon thereof, bars journaled to ivotal connection at their front ends wit said truck, a plurality of cutters having hubs corresponding to theV shape of the shaft and mounted thereon, means for adjustably securing said cutters at various positions with respect to one another on said shaft, and means mounted upon the frame aforesaid and connected to said cutter shaft for lifting the same with its cutters vertically within the arched portion of said frame.

. 2. The combination of a main axle, a rectangular frame secured to said axle, the intermediate portion of said frame being u wardly curved, a cutter shaft located in t e rear of said axle and substantially within the curved portion of the frame, the greater portion of said cutter shaft being polygonal in cross section, a plurality of cutters adjuststalk cutter comably secured upon said cutter shaft, and

tangular frame secured to said axle, the intermediate portion of said frame being u wardly curved, a cutter shaft located in t e rear of sald axle and substantially within the curved portion of the frame, the greater portion of said cutter shaft being polygonal in cross section, a plurality of cutters adjustupon said frame, and iiexible connections ably secured upon said cutter shaft, and means for liftinof and holding the cutter bar with its cutters 1n elevated position comprising a transverse bar, a pluralit of substantially vertical members secure to said bar, and in whose lower ends the said cutter bar is journaled, a plurality of levers journaled between said levers and the bar aforesaid.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK R. STILLWELL. Witnesses:

W. H. WoRsHAM, A. C. HENKE. 

